March is Red Cross Month and the American Red Cross would like to recognize the nation’s Everyday Heroes who reach out to help their neighbors when they are in need.

“Our local heroes are our volunteers, our blood donors, people who take our classes or those who make a financial contribution to help us, help others, throughout our communities” said Jody Weyers, Volunteer Director. “During Red Cross Month, we thank them and encourage everyone to discover their inner hero!”

For more than 70 years, all of our country’s presidents, including President Barack Obama, have designated March as Red Cross Month to recognize how the American Red Cross helps people across the country and around the world.

Here in Wisconsin, we respond to more than a 1,000 disasters (mostly residential fires) and we must be ready to respond 24/7/365. In addition to helping someone down the street, we send trained responders to hurricane, tornado and wildfire responses across the country. We teach kids to adults lifesaving skills, we roll-up our sleeves to donate blood, we even provide 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families – in war zones, military hospitals and on military installations around the world.

‘Not all heroes wear capes and volunteering is a great way to be someone’s hero,” gleamed Weyers. “It’s easy, become a Red Cross volunteer, work on a preparedness plan for their household, give blood, or take a Red Cross class.”

March 6th – We open our newest Nurse Assistant Training location in La Crosse. This brings our statewide total to six training locations with courses happening almost monthly. State Farm,Walmart and the Waupaca Community Foundation are funding student scholarships. www.redcross.org/WINAT.

March 16th – Members of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Red Cross Club, Student Veterans Association and Americorps/Vet Corps will coordinate a King Veteran Home resident’s bingo and bowling outing.

March 27th – Dine Out For Disaster Relief – Bring your hunger to participating restaurants where a percentage of your sales will be donated to support disaster relief and life-saving preparedness programs locally. www.redcross.org/dineoutwisconsin is presented by Society Insurance.

When filing your Wisconsin State Taxes, you can use the donation “check off” to give directly to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Every dollar stays in Wisconsin.

Donate the gift of life – give blood! Our Green Bay Blood Donation Center at 2131 Deckner Avenue collects blood four to five days a week and includes evening and weekend hours. Walk-ins welcome or visit www.redcrossblood.org to make an appointment.

To learn more about volunteering go to www.redcross.org/volunteer or contact Jody Weyers at 920-227-4287 or jody.weyers@redcross.org.

During Red Cross Month, the American Red Cross recognizes the nation’s Everyday Heroes who give of themselves and in some way help their community.

“Please remember those who help all of us either down the street or across the country by giving their time to help their neighbor,” said Steve Hansen, Chapter Executive. “We want to thank our heroes during Red Cross Month – our volunteers, blood donors, class takers and financial supporters who help us assist those in need.”

March was first proclaimed as Red Cross Month 70 years ago by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Since 1943, every president, including President Obama, has designated March as Red Cross Month. The American Red Cross is synonymous with helping people, and has been doing so for more than 130 years.

The Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year in this country, providing shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to those affected. It provides 24-hour support to members of the military, Veterans and their families – in war zones, military hospitals and on military installations around the world; collects and distributes about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply and trains more than seven million people in first aid, water safety and other life-saving skills every year.

In just one fiscal year, our local Chapter responded to 171 local emergencies with trained Red Cross responders who are able to respond to disaster not just down the street but across the country. We assisted more than a 1,000 military members, their families and Veterans with pre and post-deployment briefings and emergency communications. We also brighten the holiday season for local Veterans and active duty personnel with our Holiday Mail for Heroes program. Through our Preparedness, Health & Safety services we trained thousands of people in both classroom and online courses in life-saving skills to disaster education. Throughout our area, people also rolled-up their sleeves to donate the gift of life. Throughout the state, we provide a safe and reliable blood supply for more than 40 hospitals and clinics.

“Red Cross Month is a great time for people to become part of the Red Cross and there are many different ways to do it. You can develop a preparedness plan for your household, become a Red Cross volunteer, give blood, or take a Red Cross class, just to name a few,” concluded Hansen.

The Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on donations of time, money and blood to do its work. An average of 91 cents of every dollar given to the Red Cross is invested into humanitarian services.

The Northeast Wisconsin Chapter has a number of activities planned for Red Cross Month, including:

Blood Drives are hosted at various locations and at the Blood Collection Center at 2131 Deckner Avenue, Green Bay which is open five days a week. To find your nearest local blood drive visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Introducing Babysitting Basics a new web-based course with video and interactive activities geared toward children 11 – 15 years of age. This is a compliment to the traditional classroom training course.

Life-saving Courses like CPR/AED, first aid, babysitting, etc are being held in multiple cities and locations. To find ALL classes & to register go to www.redcross.org/TakeAClass

Nursing Assistant Training: There is no greater calling than to provide care and compassion to those in need. Registration is now open for classes in Green Bay, Oshkosh and Waupaca. For more information visit www.redcross.org/newisconsin, call 800-727-0477 or send an email to Paulene.Kipke@redcross.org.

Our Services to Armed Forces support Yellow Ribbon Events for our enlisted military members and their families with “Get to Know Us Before You Need Us” presentations to reintegration services and/or information booths.

Heroes Musicales are a collection of musicians giving of their talent with concerts in Wild Rose, WI (Saturday, April 20) All three concerts were sold-out last year so order tickets early.

When filing Wisconsin State Taxes, this is the second year you can use the donation ‘check-off’ to give directly to American Red Cross disaster relief

Dine for Disaster participants are being recruited! Eateries, of all types, are being recruited so we can all eat/drink and socialize at their locations on May 16th with a percentage of sales raised donated to local disaster relief.

Northeast WI Chapter

The American Red Cross of Northeast Wisconsin Chapter serves 20 counties, including two in Michigan, with a mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. To learn more about Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the Chapter at 920-231-3590 or visit redcross.org/newisconsin or via social media.

During March, the American Red Cross is asking everyone to help people in need by supporting the lifesaving services it provides.

“Please remember those who need our help and support the Red Cross by making a donation, becoming a volunteer, taking a class, or giving blood,” said Steve Hansen, the Northeast WI Chapter Executive “We want to thank everyone for their generosity, which has enabled us help people here at home, across the United States and around the world.”

Across the United States, March is Red Cross Month and was first proclaimed in 1943 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Since that time, every president, including President Obama, has designated March as Red Cross Month. The American Red Cross is synonymous with helping people, and has been doing so for more than 130 years.

The Red Cross collects and distributes more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply and trains more than 9 million people in first aid, water safety and other lifesaving skills every year. It responds to nearly 70,000 disasters in the U.S. annually, providing shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to those affected. The Red Cross provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families – in war zones, military hospitals and on military installations around the world.

Here throughout Northeast Wisconsin and the Michigan border communities, we average a residential fire every other day. Our trained disaster teams are there to meet with the individuals and families affected around the clock. Through additional fire prevention projects and increased awareness, one goal this year is to reduce the number of fires and lost lives. Simple steps can have a profound and life-saving affect. They are: 1. Get informed about potential emergencies 2. Make a plan for if (when) an emergency hits your home and/or community. 3. Assemble an emergency kit.

“Red Cross Month is a great time for people to support our mission through family planning and giving of time, talent or treasures.” Hansen said. “Their kindness will enable us to continue our work, both here at home and across the globe.”

The Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on donations of time, money and blood to do its work. An average of 91 cents of every dollar given to the Red Cross is invested in helping the people the Red Cross services

To donate blood: Call 800-RED-CROSS or go online at redcrossblood.org to find the nearest blood drive near you.

The Northeast Wisconsin Chapter serves 20 counties with a mission to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters. To learn more about local Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the Chapter headquarters at 920-231-3590 or visit www.NEWRedCross.org. Find us on facebook.com/newredcross, twitter.com/newredcross, the local blog is newredcrossblog.org and Chapter photos are at flickr.com/photos/newredcross.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

March is Red Cross Month, and the American Red Cross is asking people to join them in helping those in need by volunteering their time, making a donation, taking a class, or giving blood.

“When someone provides a hot meal to a disaster victim, gives blood, takes a first aid class or helps someone in the military, they join the Red Cross,” said Steve Hansen, Regional Chapter Executive. “We want to say ‘thank you’ to all who support us. That support enables us to provide help and hope to those who need our assistance.”

For nearly 100 years, U.S. Presidents have called on people to support the American Red Cross and its humanitarian mission. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first to proclaim March as Red Cross Month in 1943. Since that time, President Obama and every president since have issued proclamations designating March as Red Cross Month.

The Red Cross has been helping people for 130 years, responding to disasters, assisting members of the military, teaching lifesaving skills and serving as one of the largest blood suppliers in the United States.

Nationally, the Red Cross responds to an average of nearly 200 disasters every day. The organization provides a round-the-clock link between those in the military and their families and supplies blood and blood products to approximately 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country.

Across the Northeast Wisconsin Region, Red Cross chapters responded and provided assistance in 163 local disasters last year. The chapters served 676 military families, taught 45,503 individuals lifesaving skills, and collected 38,404 units of blood.

“We work very diligently to help those in need,” Hansen said. “Whether out on a disaster, alongside our troops, at a blood drive or in a first aid class, Red Cross workers touch the lives of millions of people every year.”

It’s hard to imagine a world without Heroes. They’re the drive behind every mission, the hope that aids disaster work. They are the gracious community-minded people that support the American Red Cross in so many ways.

Heroes for the American Red Cross is a grassroots campaign that invites local business people, school and church groups, civic clubs and individuals to pledge to raise $1,000 for their local Red Cross Chapter. We invite you to support your local Heroes, or become one yourself, beginning in the month of March.

It’s an extremely rewarding way to help the Red Cross help others – whether we’re providing shelter, food and emergency financial assistance to disaster victims; transmitting important messages to military members overseas; or training your community to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

The Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on donations of time, money and blood to do its work.

“When people join the Red Cross by volunteering, donating blood, taking a course or making a contribution, they enable us to continue our work, both here at home and around the world,” Hansen said.

About the Northeast Wisconsin Region:

The Northeast Wisconsin American Red Cross is a regional grouping of four chapters serving 20 counties with a mission to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters throughout the East Central Wisconsin, Lakeland, Outagamie and Scenic Shores Chapters. To learn more about Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the Northeast region at 920-231-3590 or visit www.NewRedCross.org. We are also on Facebook (American Red Cross – Northeast Wisconsin Region) and Twitter (NEWRedCross). Our blog can be found at arcgbw.wordpress.com.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

It is a time designated around the country as an awareness campaign to spread the word on the services they provide across the street, “down the road” 😉 and around the country and in addition to my song “You Gotta Love” dedicated to the recent Haiti Relief efforts by the American Red Cross & the Musicians United For Haiti benefit concert last month I once again will be sharing my music for another special event.

Join us in celebration Thursday March 25th 8pm to 11pm for a free concert in the Phoenix Club at UWGB in Green Bay WI. As part of Red Cross Month the Club members at UWGB are hosting a concert on campus, with music provided by local musician Rob Anthony.

At 9pm the Red Cross are having an intermission and having three people who are going to share their Red Cross story with the students and audience attending. Miriam & Larry Slaght who had a house fire last January, Ally Mentzel, who saved her teachers life from DePere HS last year by doing CPR and Tracy Roze, who is alive today because of the life-saving blood she received.I encourage you to read more about Red Cross Month and what the NE Wisconsin and the Lakeland Chapter continuously focuses on. Click here for their Spring 2010 “Always There” Newsletter.

On a special note; not only do I hope to see you at the event I want to thank a very special person for inviting me to get involved with the Red Cross a couple years ago. Jody Weyers has committed herself and talents to the American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter. She truly is passionate about the American Red Cross and clearly committed to her community. So please welcome me in thanking Jody for all her efforts and contributions to our community. You rock girl and it’s always a pleasure working with you, the Red Cross and the UWGB team.